A campaign by Midlands media and commerce to relocate Channel 4 to the region is being supported by Birmingham Press Club.

A Club statement, in which directors offer to show executives of Channel 4 and the Culture Secretary around Birmingham, says that hundreds of media and broadcast companies have already made the city their home.

“Birmingham offers Channel 4 a modern, vibrant city, where only recently the BBC moved its BBC Three services to its base at BBC Birmingham in The Mailbox - a move that confirms the city has the capability to offer broadcasters experienced and talented people to help create engaging and creative content,” added the statement.

It went on: “We are excited by the idea of Channel 4 moving to our great city. Why? Because it confirms what we already know - Birmingham is fast becoming the new media city. Success of shows like The Peaky Blinders has shown how the city brings success. Its creator Steven Knight is planning to open a major film studio in the city. He can see the potential of basing himself here, in a city which is growing and growing. The foundations are already being laid for a media revolution in Birmingham.”

The Club says the message to Channel 4 is obvious - Birmingham is a location offering value for money; with low costs and a high skill base.

Currently, the Government is considering the results of a consultation into whether the broadcaster should move after the Conservative general election manifesto stated that Channel 4 “will be relocated out of London. The station employs

More than 800 staff but only about 30 are based outside central London.

Birmingham, together with Coventry, Solihull and the Black Country have all been included as potential hosts for the channel in a joint bid submitted by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who believes that such a move would add £5 billion to the local economy over ten years.

Social media initiatives have been launched by Trinity Mirror sister-papers Birmingham Mail and Coventry Telegraph highlighting the advantages of a national TV station being based in the West Midlands and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has also added its weight to the campaign.